The Best 1911 Shoulder Holster – Top Picks

Your 1911 is just crying out to be carried in a high-quality shoulder holster. You need something that is durable, comfortable and won’t fail you as you wear it day in and day out like a good concealed carrier should.

Our experts found some of the best 1911 shoulder holsters for your review in this guide. Let’s get started!

This is a 100% genuine leather shoulder holster that will grip your 1911 perfectly and keep it from sliding around underneath your jacket. It allows for either horizontal or vertical carry positions, and ambidextrous use.

Specifically designed for the 1911, it might be a tight fit if you have a rail under the slide, so bulkier 1911s may not work in this holster. If you have a regular style 1911 with a smooth frame, you should have no problems. It’s also not appropriate for weapons with larger sighting systems, such as holographic sites, or even the large adjustable rear sight of the Springfield TRD. This is a simple holster that doesn’t care for extra bulk.

A very comfortable, modular design from Condor Outdoors. The shoulder harness is padded, and the whole system is fully adjustable. Comes with a double mag pouch, and made from nylon webbing, which keeps the weight down.

The holster itself is very roomy, and will fit just about any 1911, unless you have a flashlight or a 1911 laser sight attached to the rail. It will even work with some low profile laser mechanisms. The tension this holder is under with the belt clips feels flimsy but seems to hold well. The attachment mechanism could be better, and it can be a little tight on broad-shouldered football players, but overall, for the price, it’s hard to beat this nylon holster.

Federal Holsterworks does a fine job at making a nylon shoulder holster for your 1911. This one is designed for horizontal harry and right handed use, but a clever person might find a way around that inconvenient fact. The belt straps are quick and easy to tighten up, making this a lightweight and comfortable setup for everyone.

While slide length isn’t really an issue, as the holder and strap combo can accommodate a full-size 5 inch barrel, any accessories you might have on your 1911 are a no-go.

The mag pouches are extra-large, allowing an extra inch or so for 10 round extended mags, which are my choice for backup ammo. The pouches are actually wide enough for double-stack magazines. So you’re covered if you feel like swapping to a different 45 for a day.

Without getting too excited, this is the leather holster you always wanted. The build quality and materials are outstanding, as is the fit. The mag pouches are solid and just rigid enough. This is a nostalgic design that fits well, and is trusted by law enforcement and military. Weapon tension is adjustable with a screw, which you can lock down with nail polish.

This isn’t going to be the cheapest 1911 holster around, and the tie down straps cost more than some other holsters, but if you want the best, without going to a custom leather worker, it comes at a price.

That said, this system is not the best for everyone. Some people don’t like leather, in which case the lower cost nylon options will be better. This holster is also not cross trained. It will hold your 1911 just fine, but other pistols aren’t going to work.

If you’re looking for a shoulder holster that supports blindingly fast draws and won’t excessively print while being worn under a jacket or suit coat, consider the Galco Vertical Shoulder Holster System. Looking like something out of a Law & Order episode, this Galco holster is purposely built for 5-Inch 1911s and features a built-in 2-magazine pouch. Made of durable leather, this system is designed to last and is engineered with a full clover-harness to not slip or slide when you’re moving around.

Sporting a full trigger-guard, the Galco also holds your 1911 vertically to keep the muzzle pointed towards the deck, rather than your back. Coming in two different colors and featuring a strap that allows the holster to be mounted directly to your belt for increased comfort and stability, the Galco system is an obvious choice for any serious shooter or concealed carry enthusiast.

One of the greatest strengths and advantages of the Barsony Concealment Shoulder Holster is that it accommodates any full size 9mm, 40 S&W or 45 ACP pistol. Whether this means you’re sporting a 1911 or a Springfield XD, the Barson gives you unparalleled latitude when deciding what to take with you when seconds count. It’s truly an unrivaled shoulder holster in that respect.

It’s a great shoulder holster for the 1911 because it sports double shoulder pads. For heavier pistols, like 1911s, this means that extended wear won’t put undue strain on your neck or back. For the LEOs and military professionals amongst us, that also means focusing on the mission at hand rather than the very real pain in your neck that is caused by carrying an uncomfortable pistol all day long.

Because Barsony made their shoulder holster out of 100% nylon, it weighs less than the genuine leather competition and won’t snare clothing as easily. As a fully adjustable holster, it can shrink or expand to accommodate shooters of different heights and it does this while supporting truly ambidextrous drawing and shooting. If you value light weight tactical equipment, this is one to seriously consider!

If you are looking for a vertical carry shoulder holster that supports deep concealment and won’t print under even challenging conditions, this is an obvious go-to choice. This isn’t a flashy holster, in fact odds are most people will never see it while you’re wearing it (and that’s how it should be!). The Linixu Deep Concealment holster may not have extra magazine carrying capacity but it does feature a chest-wide belt that wraps around your body to stop any undue or excess moving. For heavier pistols, like 1911s, this means you’re getting unreal levels of support and stability.

There’s only one shoulder strap on this holster, but it does a great job keeping your pistol in place. Whether you want to wear this with a loose-fitting t-shirt or a casual shirt is up to you. You can be confident that this holster will support your clothing choice. The only downside? Because this is designed to be worn under clothing, draw speed suffers. It is a good option for a backup weapon or a situation where extremely deep concealment is required, but is far from an ideal choice for those who value speed over stealth.

This holster is timeless and would go well with gold-rimmed glasses and a linen shirt. It’s straight out of the 1970s and that’s because there have been very few improvements to this design since it was first introduced. It’s made of a high-grade saddle leather and features a clover retention harness, which is standard for Galco holsters. Unlike the Vertical Shoulder System, this Galco product holds your 1911 behind your back and makes fast drawing possible. It’s certainly something to consider if you’re looking to have a duty pistol carry option.

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